A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to the threshold for approving a constitutional amendment.
Summary
HCR 3003 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the approval threshold for constitutional amendments in North Dakota from a simple majority to 60 percent. It applies both to amendments proposed by the Legislative Assembly and to amendments initiated by petition, changing the standard for adoption if the measure is placed before voters and approved at the 2026 general election.
The resolution would amend sections of Article III and Article IV of the North Dakota Constitution. For initiated constitutional amendments, it keeps the existing petition-signature requirement but changes the ballot passage requirement so that at least 60 percent of votes cast on the measure must be affirmative. For legislatively referred amendments, it likewise changes the requirement from a majority of votes cast to a 60 percent supermajority. Because it is a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional change, it does not directly alter statutory law; instead, it sends the question to the electorate for final approval.
The bill appears to have received support in both chambers, passing the House 65-28 and the Senate 33-13. Those vote margins suggest a clear majority in favor, though not unanimous support. The measure was filed with the Secretary of State after legislative approval, indicating it advanced through the process to be placed before voters.
The general sentiment around the bill is favorable among its sponsors and supporters, who likely view the higher threshold as a way to ensure broader consensus for constitutional change. At the same time, the recorded opposition in both chambers indicates concern from some legislators about making it harder for voters to approve amendments, especially citizen-initiated measures. The main point of contention is the policy choice between protecting the constitution from narrow majorities and preserving the current accessibility of the initiative and amendment process.
Impact
If approved by voters, HCR 3003 would change the North Dakota Constitution by requiring a 60 percent affirmative vote for constitutional amendments instead of a simple majority. This would affect both legislatively referred amendments and initiated constitutional amendments, making future constitutional changes harder to enact and potentially reducing the success rate of ballot measures. It does not amend the state code directly, but it would alter the constitutional rules governing how amendments are adopted and would therefore affect the initiative process, the Legislative Assembly, and voters statewide.
Sentiment
The bill advanced with clear support in both chambers, passing the House 65-28 and the Senate 33-13, which indicates a generally favorable legislative sentiment. Supporters appear to favor a higher bar for constitutional change, likely emphasizing stability and consensus. Opposition was present but not dominant, suggesting the main divide was over whether a supermajority requirement is appropriate rather than over the resolution’s mechanics.
Contention
The central controversy is whether raising the approval threshold from 50 percent to 60 percent makes constitutional amendments more deliberate and durable or instead unduly restricts voters’ ability to change the constitution. Supporters, including the resolution’s sponsors and legislative backers, likely argue that constitutional provisions should require broader agreement. Opponents, reflected in the recorded no votes in both chambers, likely object that the change would make it harder for citizen initiatives and referred amendments to succeed, potentially weakening direct democracy and preserving the status quo.
A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to the threshold for approving a constitutional amendment.
Requiring each resolution adopted by the legislative assembly proposing a constitutional amendment and each initiative petition and measure proposing a constitutional amendment to be comprised of a single subject.
A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact section 9 of article III and section 16 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to requiring each resolution adopted by the legislative assembly proposing a constitutional amendment and each initiative petition and measure proposing a constitutional amendment to be comprised of a single subject.
Prohibiting the legislative assembly from proposing certain amendments to article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, and to provide for an application.
A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact section 1 of article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to term limits for members of the legislative assembly; to repeal section 4 of article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to prohibiting the legislative assembly from proposing certain amendments to article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, and to provide for an application.
A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact sections 7 and 13 of article IV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to sessions of the legislative assembly; and to provide an effective date.
A concurrent resolution to amend and reenact sections 3 and 13 of article VI of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to the judicial branch and supreme court.
Prohibiting the legislative assembly from proposing certain amendments to article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota; and to provide for application.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.